Alumni Success Story - Germán Cuenca, MDSC 2019

Alumni Success Story: Germán Cuenca, MDSC Alumni 2019 and Head of Business Services - North Area at DB Schenker. See profile on Linkedin

“In this Master’s program, you’ll find an outstanding group of professors who make every effort worthwhile, as well as a dedicated team at ZLC who will support and help you tremendously.”

Your university background is in Architecture, but your true calling was to be a professional basketball player. Tell us a bit about your sports career. What are your most valuable memories from that time, and how has it influenced your professional development?

I started playing basketball with my school friends, and at the age of 11, I joined CBZ (Club Baloncesto Zaragoza, the youth academy of the former CAI).

Those were years of great effort, as we trained almost every day. The hard work was undoubtedly rewarded by the satisfaction of playing and being part of a team that soon became my second family. That experience taught me to push myself daily and to manage my limited time more efficiently to study and complete schoolwork. I’ve always believed that team sports have a lasting impact on your life. The experiences shared with teammates are unforgettable, and the values sports instill truly shape your character. Even in professional life, the lessons learned through sports help you work better in a team, be more tolerant and patient, and handle stressful situations more effectively.

After finishing high school in Zaragoza, I moved to Valladolid to study Architecture, my great passion, and there I played for several teams in the Castilla y León region for a few years. It was also a time of intense effort due to the demands of the degree, and balancing both passions was difficult until I finally stopped playing basketball professionally.

Then came the time to leave Architecture behind and return to Zaragoza to join DB Schenker, the global leader in logistics services, as a Supervisor at their warehouse in the PLAZA logistics platform. What was that transition like?

Well, it was a tough period. I finished my Architecture degree during a major crisis in the industry, and job opportunities in Spain were very limited. By chance, I got a few temporary jobs in logistics warehouses, and gradually, I became more interested in the sector and eventually started at DB Schenker. From temporary roles as an external logistics operator, I became part of the permanent staff and, a few months later, started as a Warehouse Supervisor on the morning shift.

Two years later, you decided to further your education to advance in your career and chose to study the Master in Supply Chain Management at ZLC. Why did you choose this program?

As I mentioned earlier, my university degree was in Architecture, and although warehouse experience is valuable and a great way to understand logistics from the inside, I knew that if I wanted to grow professionally, I needed formal education in the field and broader knowledge beyond internal warehouse operations. I researched different options, and after hearing excellent references about the Master in Supply Chain Management at ZLC, I decided to attend an information session. I was fascinated and knew immediately that it was exactly the kind of program I needed at that point in my career.

How did you manage to attend classes, study, work, and take care of a baby all in the same year?

It was challenging, but I was very motivated, and with effort, and the support of my wife and family, I managed to organize myself to handle it all. Looking back, you realize that sooner or later, all the effort pays off, and when facing a new challenge, you always find the strength and energy to get through it.

And the effort was worth it. Shortly after finishing the master’s, you were promoted internally to Head of Business Services for the Northern Area. What’s the secret behind DB Schenker’s success formula?

Yes, shortly after completing the Master’s, an internal opportunity came up that I felt was a good fit, and I applied for the position. From the Business Services department, we support the company’s operational areas, and part of our work involves implementing, standardizing, and improving processes. Without a doubt, both my previous experience in the warehouse and the knowledge I gained during the Master’s have been invaluable in my current role, and I’m very happy about that.

Moreover, we constantly strive to improve, and working together as one team towards a common goal is one of DB Schenker’s keys to success: “One Team, One Goal.”

What advice would you give to those who, like you, are thinking of combining their professional work with attending the Master’s three afternoons a week?

Rather than advice, I would offer them my encouragement and share the very positive experience I had. Of course, balancing work and study can be challenging and requires strong personal organization, but it’s a sacrifice that’s absolutely worth it. In this Master’s program, you’ll find an excellent group of professors who make every effort worthwhile, and a human team at ZLC who will undoubtedly support and help you every step of the way.